It was the spring of 2007, and the air still carried the chill of early morning as Nico Valen arrived at the training ground. Nestled on the outskirts of Madrid, the modest facility was home to Real Madrid Castilla, Spain's third tier, a gritty proving ground where dreams were forged in sweat and sacrifice.
The cracked concrete and sparse grass told stories of years of wear, just like the players who came through here—battered but hungry for a chance.
Coach Emil Sandberg, a grizzled man in his late forties with a permanent scowl softened only by fleeting moments of pride, paced the sidelines. His sharp eyes missed nothing. A former professional whose own career was cut short, Emil understood the brutal demands of the game and the weight carried by each young player.
Nico dribbled the ball forward, feeling the pressure and the sting of rain on his skin. Though his body was sixteen again, his mind held the memories and regrets of the years he had lost.
As the scrimmage wrapped up, Emil called him over. "Valen! A word."
Nico's heart raced as he approached.
The coach's gaze was piercing yet measured. "You're different today. Last time I saw you here, you barely looked like you belonged. But now... you controlled the midfield. Your vision, your passes—they've got a
The sun was dipping low behind the rooftops of Madrid as Nico trudged through narrow streets back to his family's small apartment. His boots echoed softly against the cobblestone, the faint smell of rain lingering in the cool evening air.
His mind replayed Coach Emil's words over and over, like a mantra. Focus. Fire. That's what we need. But beneath the surface, a storm of emotions churned — hope tangled with fear, excitement mixed with the ever-present ache of doubt.
The neighborhood was quiet, the usual chatter of children replaced by the soft hum of televisions and the scent of dinner cooking. Nico's footsteps slowed as he reached the worn wooden door.
"¡Nico!" His mother's voice called warmly from inside. "You're home late."
He pushed the door open, stepping into the cramped but cozy space. The walls were adorned with faded family photos — a younger Nico in a dirt-streaked jersey, his sister smiling wide, and his parents, worn but proud.
His mother wiped her hands on her apron and smiled, though her eyes betrayed exhaustion. "How was training?"
"Better," Nico said, dropping his bag by the door. "Coach said I'm improving."
His sister, Lucia, ran up and grabbed his arm, her dark eyes shining. "Did you score a goal?"
He laughed softly, ruffling her hair. "Yeah. I scored."
Their father, sitting in a threadbare armchair, looked up from his newspaper. He nodded, a rare show of approval. "Good. Keep working hard."
The room settled into a comfortable silence, the kind that spoke of unspoken struggles and shared dreams. Nico's chest tightened. This—this small, imperfect family—was the reason he had to make it.
Later that night, in the solitude of his room, Nico pulled out his phone and opened the system.
Divinus Calcio shimmered before him, the translucent HUD glowing softly against the dim light.
His name blinked at the top:
Nico Valen — Age 16
Position: Playmaker (CAM/RW/LW/CF)
Current XP: 0/100
Stamina: 85%
Skill Points: 1
Trait Points: 0
Below, a quest list beckoned:
[Complete first scrimmage — Completed]
[Unlock Skill: Composed Finishing I — Unlocked]
[Next Quest: Attend tactical training — Available]
Nico tapped on his traits tab, revealing:
Quiet Flame
+10% Focus under pressure
Effect: Heightens decision-making ability in critical moments.
He leaned back, absorbing the information. The system was unlike anything he'd ever seen — a gift, a curse, a lifeline.
A small notification blinked:
[System Message]
"Your journey has just begun, Nico. Use your gifts wisely."
He could feel a buzz of power, a promise whispered in the quiet between heartbeats. For the first time, the future looked different.
Nico scrolled deeper into the interface, curiosity stirring.
Skills
Composed Finishing I (Unlocked)
Tactical Awareness (Locked)
Speed Burst (Locked)
Precision Passing (Locked)
Quests
Attend tactical training — Available
Complete physical endurance test — Locked
Join official matchday squad — Locked
The system pulsed, waiting for his choice.
He selected Attend tactical training.
A new message appeared:
[Quest Accepted]
"Learn advanced positional play and unlock Tactical Awareness skill."
Nico's pulse quickened.
This is it. The chance to take control, to rewrite his story.
Outside, the city lights flickered on, casting long shadows through his window.
Nico closed his eyes, breathing deep.
The road ahead was uncertain. The Segunda División B was unforgiving, and the ghosts of his past loomed close.
But with this system — this gift from somewhere beyond — maybe he could finally rise.
Not just to play, he thought. But to become.
Would you like me to continue with the next chapter soon, or add more detailed system tutorials and gameplay elements here?
The sun was dipping low behind the rooftops of Madrid as Nico trudged through narrow streets back to his family's small apartment. His boots echoed softly against the cobblestone, the faint smell of rain lingering in the cool evening air.
His mind replayed Coach Emil's words over and over, like a mantra. Focus. Fire. That's what we need. But beneath the surface, a storm of emotions churned — hope tangled with fear, excitement mixed with the ever-present ache of doubt.
The neighborhood was quiet, the usual chatter of children replaced by the soft hum of televisions and the scent of dinner cooking. Nico's footsteps slowed as he reached the worn wooden door.
"¡Nico!" His mother's voice called warmly from inside. "You're home late."
He pushed the door open, stepping into the cramped but cozy space. The walls were adorned with faded family photos — a younger Nico in a dirt-streaked jersey, his sister smiling wide, and his parents, worn but proud.
His mother wiped her hands on her apron and smiled, though her eyes betrayed exhaustion. "How was training?"
"Better," Nico said, dropping his bag by the door. "Coach said I'm improving."
His sister, Lucia, ran up and grabbed his arm, her dark eyes shining. "Did you score a goal?"
He laughed softly, ruffling her hair. "Yeah. I scored."
Their father, sitting in a threadbare armchair, looked up from his newspaper. He nodded, a rare show of approval. "Good. Keep working hard."
The room settled into a comfortable silence, the kind that spoke of unspoken struggles and shared dreams. Nico's chest tightened. This—this small, imperfect family—was the reason he had to make it.
Later that night, in the solitude of his room, Nico pulled out his phone and opened the system.
Divinus Calcio shimmered before him, the translucent HUD glowing softly against the dim light.
His name blinked at the top:
Nico Valen — Age 16
Position: Playmaker (CAM/RW/LW/CF)
Current XP: 0/100
Stamina: 85%
Skill Points: 1
Trait Points: 0
Below, a quest list beckoned:
[Complete first scrimmage — Completed]
[Unlock Skill: Composed Finishing I — Unlocked]
[Next Quest: Attend tactical training — Available]
Nico tapped on his traits tab, revealing:
Quiet Flame
+10% Focus under pressure
Effect: Heightens decision-making ability in critical moments.
He leaned back, absorbing the information. The system was unlike anything he'd ever seen — a gift, a curse, a lifeline.
A small notification blinked:
[System Message]
"Your journey has just begun, Nico. Use your gifts wisely."
He could feel a buzz of power, a promise whispered in the quiet between heartbeats. For the first time, the future looked different.
Nico scrolled deeper into the interface, curiosity stirring.
Skills
Composed Finishing I (Unlocked)
Tactical Awareness (Locked)
Speed Burst (Locked)
Precision Passing (Locked)
Quests
Attend tactical training — Available
Complete physical endurance test — Locked
Join official matchday squad — Locked
The system pulsed, waiting for his choice.
He selected Attend tactical training.
A new message appeared:
[Quest Accepted]
"Learn advanced positional play and unlock Tactical Awareness skill."
Nico's pulse quickened.
This is it. The chance to take control, to rewrite his story.
Outside, the city lights flickered on, casting long shadows through his window.
Nico closed his eyes, breathing deep.
The road ahead was uncertain. The Segunda División B was unforgiving, and the ghosts of his past loomed close.
But with this system — this gift from somewhere beyond — maybe he could finally rise.
Not just to play, he thought. But to become.